Peris + Toral Arquitectes' “Radical” House Wins RIBA 2024 International Award

An 85-unit social housing estate in Cornellà, near Barcelona, designed by Peris + Toral Arquitectes, has been awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) International Award 2024. The six-storey timber-framed housing is an innovative example of social housing design. The RIBA International Award recognizes buildings that reflect visionary thinking, uniqueness, excellence in execution, and significant contributions to their users, surroundings, and communities.

The housing design received praise from the judges for its design that enhanced the flexibility of its residents. The building structure was considered “radical” as it challenged the conventional layout. The architecture places the kitchen in the center with no hierarchy between the living, dining, and sleeping areas, the architects call this design a “democratic house” due to its grid-like arrangement, which facilitates movement and interaction. The goal is to make each room easily accessible.

Housing Project by Peris + Toral Arquitectes' (cr: José Hevia)

Housing Project by Peris + Toral Arquitectes' (cr: José Hevia)

Completed in 2022, the central kitchen layout was designed to make “housework visible” as a response to gender discrimination and traditional housing layouts. The housing design is a solution to the housing crisis in collaboration with the public organization IMPSOL (Metropolitan Institute of Land Development and Property Management).

The main features of the housing are the modular mass timber structure that lowers CO₂ emissions and the modular system that shortens the construction time. It allows for future adaptability and as a sustainable building. People who initially opposed the unconventional layout responded positively because it created a comfortable and flexible environment. This is a measure of the project's success in creating sustainable housing. 

Housing Project by Peris + Toral Arquitectes' (cr: José Hevia)

Peris + Toral Arquitectes was inspired by traditional Japanese houses and architect Marta Peris' study of films by Japanese director Yasujirō Ozu. The project prioritizes cross-ventilation, dual orientation, and a central communal courtyard, reflecting deep attention to intergenerational interaction. 

Housing Project by Peris + Toral Arquitectes' (cr: José Hevia)

Archdaily reported that RIBA President Muyiwa Oki commended the inspiring housing project from Peris + Toral Arquitectes in Spain, which embodies an aspirational transformational spirit and demonstrates real change. Adopting flexibility and resilience through robust and adaptive architecture, this revolutionary approach to social housing creates an environment that allows residents to settle in and stay for the long term. 

“This visionary scheme enables new and future ideas about what makes up a family and should be seen as a blueprint for providing sustainable, quality housing worldwide on a large scale. It is a powerful example of how architects can create new and applicable solutions to the common challenge of creating housing for all,” he added.

Housing Project by Peris + Toral Arquitectes' (cr: José Hevia)

RIBA also awarded ARCity the 2024 International Emerging Architect award for its “Six Bricolage Houses” project in Shenzhen, China. The award recognizes architects with 10 years or less of experience who have made significant contributions. 

Previous winners of the RIBA International Award include a rural hospital in Bangladesh by Kashef Chowdhury/URBANA, which won in 2022, and a boarding school in Brazil designed by Aleph Zero and Rosenbaum, which won in 2018.